If you're looking for a straightforward Zelda adventure, this battle-heavy quest is about as straightforward as it gets. Oracle of Seasons streamlines the franchise's formula to let challenging classic combat take centre stage, but brings enough originality to keep it from feeling monotonous. There is much incentive to play the Oracle games together - if you play Seasons second, it adds interesting plot twists that enhance the barebones storytelling and allows for crucial weapon upgrades that help immensely against the challenging end boss. It may not be as engrossing as Ages, but Seasons still offers up an old-school adventure that will feel fondly familiar to long-time fans of the franchise.
Oracle of Ages somehow feels both new and familiar at the same time. While many beloved Zelda tropes remain, the game still takes plenty of chances, many of which really pay off. Link may have already done some time-travelling in Ocarina of Time, but in Oracle of Ages, it becomes the game's central aspect, making way for a puzzle-heavy adventure filled with colourful characters, interesting items and a plot much unlike those previously seen in the franchise. Link's Awakening may have given birth to its game engine, but Ages feel like a game all its own. While it may not be the most traditional Zelda game out there, that's certainly not a reason to avoid it: this is the perfect opportunity to experience what Oracle of Ages has to offer.
I don't think I've ever enjoyed a sled ride more in my life, because I've never had to work as hard for one. A task which once felt insurmountable had been met. That's not a feeling I've had with games for a long time—not even in Dark Souls. But somehow, the small scale trials found in the levels of 1001 Spikes bring me back.
Sportsfriends reminds us how local multiplayer can be.